
With nearly 30 years of roofing homes and businesses in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene area, we’ve seen a lot of roofing problems! We thought we would share our experience with locating most roof leaks by sharing with you the most common points of failure.
Roof leaks often occur in specific areas that are more vulnerable to water penetration. Knowing these common spots can help homeowners and building managers take preventive measures. Here are the most common places for roof leaks:
1. Flashing
Flashing is used to seal and protect seams where the roof meets other structures, such as chimneys, skylights, vents, and dormers. Over time, flashing can corrode, crack, or come loose, creating gaps where water can seep through.
2. Roof Valleys
Valleys are where two roof slopes meet, forming a V-shape. These areas tend to collect water, snow, and debris, making them susceptible to leaks if the roofing materials wear out or are improperly installed.
3. Chimneys
Chimneys are a frequent source of leaks because they penetrate the roof surface. If the flashing around the chimney is damaged or deteriorated, water can easily find its way in. Cracks in the chimney itself or mortar joints can also lead to leaks.
4. Skylights
Skylights can develop leaks if not installed correctly or if the seal around the window frame fails over time. Condensation or pooling water can build up around the edges of the skylight, eventually seeping through the seals.
5. Roof Vents
Any roof penetration, like vents for plumbing, exhaust fans, or HVAC systems, is a potential leak point. The seals or gaskets around these vents can wear out or crack, allowing water to infiltrate the roof.
6. Gutters and Downspouts
Clogged or improperly installed gutters can cause water to overflow or pool along the roof's edge. This can lead to leaks, especially where the fascia or eaves meet the roofline.
7. Shingles or Tiles
Damaged or missing shingles are a direct path for water to enter the roof. Shingles can be blown off in strong winds, or they may crack, curl, or deteriorate over time due to weather exposure, leaving the underlayment exposed to water.
While damage can occur to any roof, if your roof was installed more than 15 years ago, its almost certain that there is some damage which has the potential to allow in moisture and cause more damage to your home! Call Ark Roofing for a free estimate or to consider the advantages of a roofing maintenance service to ensure your roof is professional inspected and maintained to prevent hidden damage from occurring.
Ark Roofing is here for you! We do new roofs, roof replacement, roof repair, and roofing maintenance for both residential and commercial properties, and we are experts in dealing with roofing damage insurance claims. ARK Roofing has been serving the Inland Northwest for years! We are experts in the installation of asphalt shingle, metal and TPO membrane roofs.Â
Call us today at (509) 443-9300 or (208) 446-6641.
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